Providence Driving and Drug Charges

As reported by Bryan Rourke in the March 7, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a Providence man was stopped and arrested by Rhode Island State Police.  The man was stopped for speeding.  During the stop, he threw drugs out of the car and fled the scene.  He was arrested for eluding police, driving while in possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 31-27-4.1, eluding police is defined as any person who in an attempt to elude or flee from a police officer in an emergency police vehicle in a high speed pursuit of the person, operates a motor vehicle at speeds greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour over the speed limit, or who causes property damage only in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

The penalties include:

(1) For the first conviction, may be subject to the following sanctions:

   (i) Up to one year incarceration at the adult correction institutions (A.C.I.) and a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000);

   (ii) License suspension of not less than ninety (90) days but not more than six (6) months and forfeiture of the motor vehicle.

(2) For a second or subsequent conviction, the person shall:

   (i) Be sentenced to two (2) years at the A.C.I., but not more than five (5) years;

   (ii) Be fined a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) but not more than five thousand dollars  ($5,000);

   (iii) Receive a license suspension of not less than one year but not more than five (5) years; and

   (iv) Forfeit the motor vehicle.